Awesome Idea for Primary!!

[Alissa_Anderson]

So I'm the primary president for my ward and i just ran across this idea the other day for my primary. They're little awards that the kids can earn during class. I thought it was just the cutest idea ever. I had never heard of them but they seem like they would be a good idea. Has anybody ever used them in your wards?

http://www.ctrtags.com/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Lizzy60]

I have a grandson who is on the Aspberger scale -- high functioning. It is hard for him to sit quietly and conform to all the expected behavior in Primary, although he wants to be obedient, and praised, and thought of as a good child. Reward systems of all kinds are very distressing to him. He had one Primary President and teacher that both used lots of rewards, and he was in tears every week. Now that they have been advised by the Bishop that the children can be taught just for the joy of learning, and having friends, and not concerned about earning rewards, he is much happier, and church is no longer dreaded. My kids were seriously considering Home-Primary if the rewards continued.

I am not trying to say that everything has to be geared toward, and cater to one child, but even the General Primary Board has asked, in years past, that contests and rewards not be used in Primary. I do not know what the current thinking is, according to them. Just my own experience.

[Desert Roses]

There's some good research out there that indicates that rewards are most effective when given for effort and children are recognized not for "being the best" but for doing their own best. Thanking a child who has trouble sitting still for a quiet moment, catching children doing good, and praising them sincerely for their effort works better long-run than badges, prizes, etc., which tend to pit children against one another and leave those with problems or handicaps of any kind feeling hopeless and "less than." Being honestly loved is the best reward for any of us, but even more for a child.

[Lizzy60]

Thank you, Desert Roses, for saying it far better than I could!

[Alissa_Anderson]

Thank you both for your replies. I didn't even think about that. You both bring up a great point. I have always kinda like the idea of awarding children. I feel like it can have its benefits. I know my daughters elementary school uses a program very similar to this and she absolutely loves it. Especially when they invite all of the parents to come and take pictures while our children are receiving their awards. They always find ways so that all of the kids are receiving some type of award. I feel like all the kids leave happy with a feeling of achievement in some way. But that's just my thoughts.

[Lizzy60]

Perhaps we should not be patterning our Primary after public school. Just a thought. I would love to see Primary as a totally non-judgemental, and as close to showing unconditional love, as possible. Children are not fooled when everyone gets a "trophy".

Remember, the good thing about this forum is that we can all present our ideas, and our experiences, somewhat anonymously, and then do what we feel guided by the Spirit to do in our personal situations.

http://crazyteacher.hubpages.com/hub/Ev ... g-Our-Kids" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Desert Roses]

Perhaps we should not be patterning our Primary after public school. Just a thought. I would love to see Primary as a totally non-judgemental, and as close to showing unconditional love, as possible. Children are not fooled when everyone gets a "trophy".

Remember, the good thing about this forum is that we can all present our ideas, and our experiences, somewhat anonymously, and then do what we feel guided by the Spirit to do in our personal situations.

http://crazyteacher.hubpages.com/hub/Ev ... g-Our-Kids" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks Lizzy.

[Lizzy60]

This thread also reminded me of my favorite paper about self-esteem. It was written by a BYU religion professor. Some of you may want to take a few minutes to enjoy some beautiful truths.

http://emp.byui.edu/WightmanG/doer_of_deeds.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Alissa_Anderson]

Honestly i don't think that awarding the children is something new to the church. There are many organizations that are awarding the children. Achievement days, Cub scouts, Scouting, Young womens all use some type of award when the kids or youth achieve some type of goal.

[Alissa_Anderson]

but i do agree we all need to keep in mind our own circumstances and rely on the lord to help guide us to make the best decision

[Obrien]

Based on almost 2 decades of primary teaching experience, my advice to you is to set high expectations (for behavior, knowledge, kindness etc), let the kids know the parameters by letting them set the parameters with you, then reward them with verbal praise and recognition. A CTR tag might be ok - to me, it's probably garbage can fodder. WHATEVER you do, don't make food / candy a reward system.
Sorry to sound like a wet blanket, but I always felt kids respected and loved teachers that respected and loved them first. You don't show love with knick knacks and sugar. I do really appreciate that you're trying to make Primary a good experience - it is not an easy calling, but it beats teaching adult primary (AKA - Gospel Doctrine...)
God bless you A_A in your quest to improve primary!

[Lizzy60]

In my ward, in Relief Society, they used to pass around a basket full of candy, sometime around the middle of the month, and every sister who had completed her visiting teaching by then got to take some candy. This seemed so wrong on so many levels. I'm with Obrien -- true Christlike love, affection, admiration, and acceptance, beats candy and other junk any day.